A Handwashing Ceremony to Celebrate Pregnancy

A community handwashing ceremony is a wonderful alternative or addition to a celebratory gathering like a baby shower or nesting party. Inspired by the traditional mikveh (ritual bath) practice of immersing in the ninth month of pregnancy, this handwashing ceremony invites an expecting parent’s close circle to offer blessings, support, and grounding prior to giving birth. This ceremony may easily be adapted to any gender(s), for an individual practice, and/or for two partners together. Read below, or download the formatted PDF here.

Materials:

• Water (about 1 quart): Gather living waters from a river, lake, ocean, or other nearby water source. You may also choose to use water from a sink or bath.

• Cup: Use a handwashing cup, drinking cup, or other vessel for pouring the water over hands.

• Large bowl: Unless you are outdoors or washing hands over a sink/tub, you will need an empty bowl or basin to catch the water.

• Printed ceremony: Print this page, or this formatted PDF. You may choose to place the ceremony pages into a laminated sleeve to keep it dry, and you may want additional copies for all members of the circle to read along.

Ceremony:

Kavanah: Intention

Together:

Sing or hum 3 verses of a niggun (wordless melody) and/or take 3 collective deep breaths to arrive together with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might.[1]

Group:

We gather today to celebrate and honor ______ (name) through the ancient Jewish practice of handwashing.

Expecting Parent:

I arrive here in the fullness of pregnancy -– my baby within their waters within me[2] -- welcoming the water’s blessings as I embark on a loving transformation.

First Pour: Celebrating Creation

Group:

Source of Living Waters, bless ______ (name) with ease, health, and comfort as she nurtures and shelters new life within her.

Expecting Parent:

As I prepare to bring a new holy life into our world, it is with awe, humility, and strength that I see myself as a partner with God in creation.

Together:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ יוֹצֵר יְצִירִים[3]

Barukh atah Adonai yotzeir yatzirim.

Blessed are You, Adonai, Who created us creative.

The expecting parent holds her hands over the bowl/basin with palms up. A member of her circle pours water slowly over each hand. 

Second Pour: Praying for Resilience

Group:

May _______ (name) and her baby be guided safely through the passage of labor and birth,[4] and may she always feel the loving support of community around her.

Expecting Parent:

Shekhinah, grant me with resilience to overcome rocky waters, and guide me with your wisdom as I dive into a new phase of life.

Together:

אֲנָא מַשָּׁאִי מְלֹא יָדַי מַיָּא, וְנִתָּן לִי מְלֹא חָפְנָאֵי טִיבוּתָא[5]

Ana mashiya melo yadai maya, u-nitan li melo chapenai tivotah

I washed with my hands full of water, and I was granted my hands full of goodness.

The expecting parent holds her hands over the bowl/basin with palms down. A member of her circle pours water slowly over each hand.

Third Pour: Blessing the Generations

Group:

We celebrate you and the baby within you as two links in an infinite and beautiful chain of life.[6] May your blessings flow abundantly like a rushing river and your heart expand like a vast ocean as you add a new member to your family.

Expecting Parent:

During this time of transition, I am thankful for the blessings in my life and all to come. I honor the ancestors who came before me to bring us to this moment. May their memories live on through the new generation that I am gifting to our future.

Together:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה

Barukh Atah Adonai Eloheinu, Melekh haolam, shehekheyanu, v’kiy’manu, v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

The expecting parent holds her hands over the bowl/basin with palms up. A member of her circle pours water slowly over each hand.

Amen, ken yehi ratzon. May it be so. B’sh’ah tovah!

Citations

[1] Deuteronomy 6:5-9

[2] The Ninth Month of Pregnancy Immersion Ceremony by Mayyim Hayyim

[3] A Blessing for Creating, by Rabbi Adina Allen (Jewish Studio Project)

[4] The Ninth Month of Pregnancy Immersion Ceremony by Mayyim Hayyim

[5] Kav HaYashar 13

[6] The Ninth Month of Pregnancy Immersion Ceremony by Mayyim Hayyim